Musings

As The Twig Is Bent After a lecture by the late
Chicago educator, Francis Wayland Parker, a woman asked: "How early can I begin
the education of my child?" "When will your child be born?" asked Parker.
"Born?" she replied. "Why, he is already five years old!" "My goodness, woman,"
he cried, "don't stand here talking to me—hurry home; already you have lost the
best five years!" (1000 Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching)

This article assumes that we are
going to die. However, we often live each day as though we do not. Some would
like to know the date of their death so they could be sure to be ready. Since we
know we will die, our concern in this article is how we die. Not whether we die
a violent, slow or sudden death but rather, one’s relationship with God at
death. This is not a new concern.

I am musing while reclining in a Lazy Boy chair at my
brother’s house in Virginia Beach, VA. An enjoyable holiday here has involved
two 175 mile trips from here to Richmond, VA, on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
T.J. drives a truck to Richmond International Airport three times a week for a
shipping company. Also, we have done a good bit touring around this historic
and location of several military installations. We “went aboard” Oceana Naval
Air Station, where T.J. was stationed for part of his career. Here we saw the
history of Naval air flight in the presence of planes from different eras.

I am very thankful to be writing this musing. Last
Sunday, October 25, 2015, I kind of caused a disruption in the service…not by
plan but a disruption just the same. (I am thankful for our “congregational
nurses” who came quickly to help Cledith help me at that time.) I was not
surprised and was very thankful just the same to learn that the service resumed
after my departure and you enjoyed a fine message from Bob and an enjoyable
fellowship at the pot luck following the service.

If on a regular Sunday, someone were ask you the
question noted above, what would your answer be? There are many possibilities
ranging from exciting to boring. On the television show, Family Feud, the
producers ask 100 people a question and their answers are listed in order from
most common to least common. Several years ago the question was asked, “What is
the most boring thing you do?” The most popular answer was, church!

The wonderful children’s song says, “The B-I-B-L-E, now
that’s the book for me, I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E”.
Clearly this should to the place where all Christians stand. Sadly, however,
many in our world only pay lip service, if that, to God’s Word.

Sin is a problem for all of us, even though we would
often like to believe we are above or free from it. Some of those sins may be a
regular part of the life of a professing Christian. Sins like anger, greed and
grudge bearing to name three. Another of those sins which sometimes come right
into the assembly is ritualism.

Rebellion is a word that brings a mixture of
thoughts and images to mind. In most cases, the word refers to something that is
negative in nature. Rebellion against authority is likely the most common. Such
is the rebellion recorded in Numbers 16, lead by Korah, a Kohathite. He was
joined by Dathan and Abiram who were Reubenites. Korah and his people were
responsible for the care of the sanctuary. (Numbers 3:28)

“When I look into the mirror each morning do I really
see myself for what I really am?” Of course, the question has to do with seeing
one’s inner self…the part that God sees - rather than simply how our face or
hair looks.

October 19, 2014 will be long remembered by the 252
folks who gathered at Strathmore to worship and enjoy the fellowship of a day of
thanksgiving for ninety years of life for this congregation. Many memories were
shared as former and present members of the congregation enjoyed the worship,
the fellowship lunch, the singing and a PowerPoint presentation of the
congregation’s history prepared by Geoff Ellis, who began to grow in his faith
and commitment to the Lord here at Strathmore at the age 12 in 1943.

Geoff also was the speaker for the worship service and presented a lesson
reminding us of who we are as an extension of God’s kingdom of heaven on earth.
I wish everyone could have been here to be inspired and challenged by his
lesson. You might want to invite him to come to your congregation and present
this lesson .

I asked Geoff if he would reduce into a short article the
heart of his message, which he graciously did, and am happy to share it with you
in Musings this month. (Easiest Musings I ever wrote!) I pray you will be
blessed and encouraged to give thanks for who you are inChrist as a result
of reading this article.

The most important institution known to man today is the
New Testament Church. It is a privilege to be a member of that body which Christ
loved so much that He was willing to give His life to make it possible
(Ephesians 5:25). “Muse” with me as we notice some of the marks that identify
this New Testament Church...

Psalm 119
is 176 verses long and speaks about the part played in the godly person’s life
by the word of God. The psalmist begins with the blessing of those who walk
according to the word in verse 1 (“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who
walk in the law of the LORD!”) and ends with a prayer for strength to be the
person of God, verses 174 – 176 (“I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your
law is my delight. Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget
your commandments”).